It takes a village

By Kate Hassett

It takes a village
Family gets surprise of a lifetime when their community bands together to transform their backyard.

When Bryan Carroll, a 7-year-old from Dartmouth, Canada, was diagnosed with leukaemia last year, it meant that most of his favourite activities were now relegated to inside-play only.

Bryan’s case has unfortunately been diagnosed as incurable. As such he is meant to avoid crowds and rest as much as possible.

For his parents, that meant spending as much time as possible with this beautiful boy and foregoing everyday errands – such as backyard renovations. Until the Carroll’s neighbours found out.

In order to make Bryan’s days the happiest they could be, neighbours and community members rallied together to create an outdoor space for Bryan to play in, that would keep him safe and healthy.

Family friend Leanne Christie came up with the idea and shortly afterwards set up a GoFundMe campaign to fund the project. In just four days, the appeal saw over $3000 donated to the cause.

While Bryan and his family were out for the day, the volunteers set to work – completing the amazing transformation in just five hours.

The 50 plus volunteers installed swings and patio sets, a fire pit, new grass and filled the backyard with furniture and toys, to make Bryan’s space the best it could be.

“He loves it,” Sean Carroll, Bryan’s father, told local news. “It was the first time he’s ever run outside like that, and it was great to see.”

His favourite part of the new backyard, are the two chairs set up right in the end of the yard.

“He and his sister sit together on them.” Carroll told Yahoo Parenting. “They just like to be off alone, brother and sister by themselves together, and not in a hospital.”

 

 

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